Waterproof Lighter Case With Conformable Push-Fit Cap

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to lighter cases, and more particularly to waterproof lighter cases with conformable push-fit caps. In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a waterproof case for a lighter that protects all important components from moisture and water damage and keeps the gas button from accidently being depressed, comprising a cap and an elongated sleeve wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with the elongated sleeve, and wherein the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge. A packaged kit is also provided comprising the waterproof lighter case and instructions for use.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to lighter cases, and moreparticularly to waterproof lighter cases with conformable push-fit caps.

BACKGROUND

Disposable lighters are commonly carried and used for a variety ofpurposes, including smoking, lighting grills, and starting fires. Whencarrying a disposable lighter, it is possible for the gas button to bepressed while in the user's pocket, resulting in the fuel emptying andrendering the lighter unusable. Such lighters are also vulnerable towater damage, either through accidental water spills, being dropped inwater, or simply by being exposed to weather conditions. Water damagecan render a lighter unusable due to elements that cannot function whenwet and/or that corrode if exposed to moisture for a period of time.

Existing waterproof lighter cases exist with varying designs. Thereremains room in the art for improved waterproof lighter cases,particularly waterproof lighter cases with conformable push-fit caps.

SUMMARY

To address the foregoing problems, in whole or in part, and/or otherproblems that may have been observed by persons skilled in the art, thepresent disclosure provides compositions and methods as described by wayof example as set forth below.

A waterproof case for a lighter is provided, wherein the lighter has anelongated body and the waterproof case comprises:

-   -   a) an elongated sleeve comprising a first open end and a second        open end that together define a cavity for receiving the        elongated body of the lighter, wherein the elongated sleeve        comprises grooves disposed adjacent to the first open end and        extending outward radially; and    -   b) a cap removably coupled to the elongated sleeve, wherein the        cap comprises an open end that defines a cap cavity and is        configured to be removably coupled to the grooves of the        elongated sleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a        conformable push-fit relationship with the grooves, and wherein        the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the        cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge.        In other embodiments, the elongated sleeve and the cap are both        composed substantially of silicone. In other embodiments,        coupling the cap to the elongated sleeve creates a water-tight        seal between the cap and the elongated sleeve.

A packaged kit is also provided, comprising a waterproof case for alighter and instructions for use thereof, wherein the lighter has anelongated body and the waterproof case comprises:

-   -   a) an elongated sleeve comprising a first open end and a second        open end that together define a cavity for receiving the        elongated body of the lighter, wherein the elongated sleeve        comprises grooves disposed adjacent to the first open end and        extending outward radially; and    -   b) a cap removably coupled to the elongated sleeve, wherein the        cap comprises an open end that defines a cap cavity and is        configured to be removably coupled to the grooves of the        elongated sleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a        conformable push-fit relationship with the grooves, and wherein        the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the        cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge.        In other embodiments, the elongated sleeve and the cap are both        composed substantially of silicone. In other embodiments,        coupling the cap to the elongated sleeve creates a water-tight        seal between the cap and the elongated sleeve.

Additional features of the invention will be or will become apparent toone with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures anddetailed description. It is intended that all such additional featuresand advantages be included within this description, be within the scopeof the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the subject matter of the present invention ingeneral terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a waterproof lighter casein accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a waterproof lightercase in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a waterproof lighter case inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a waterproof lighter case along with alighter in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;and

FIG. 5 shows how a user removes the cap of a waterproof lighter case inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, byillustrating, A) a waterproof lighter case in which its cap has createda seal with its elongated sleeve, and B) a waterproof lighter case inwhich the cap is removed by applying upward pressure on the ridge of thecap to break the seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of the present invention now will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichsome, but not all embodiments of the subject matter of the presentinvention are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thesubject matter of the present invention may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed,many modifications and other embodiments of the subject matter of thepresent invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled inthe art to which the subject matter of the present invention pertainshaving the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoingdescriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the subject matter of the present invention is not to belimited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications andother embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims.

Waterproof Lighter Case with Conformable Push-Fit Cap

The present invention is directed to a waterproof case for a lighter,wherein the lighter has an elongated body and the waterproof casecomprises:

-   -   a) an elongated sleeve comprising a first open end and a second        open end that together define a cavity for receiving the        elongated body of the lighter, wherein the elongated sleeve        comprises grooves disposed adjacent to the first open end and        extending outward radially; and    -   b) a cap removably coupled to the elongated sleeve, wherein the        cap comprises an open end that defines a cap cavity and is        configured to be removably coupled to the grooves of the        elongated sleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a        conformable push-fit relationship with the grooves, and wherein        the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the        cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge.        In other embodiments, the elongated sleeve and the cap are both        composed substantially of silicone. In other embodiments,        coupling the cap to the elongated sleeve creates a water-tight        seal between the cap and the elongated sleeve.

The present invention is also directed to a packaged kit, comprising awaterproof case for a lighter and instructions for use thereof, whereinthe lighter has an elongated body and the waterproof case comprises:

-   -   a) an elongated sleeve comprising a first open end and a second        open end that together define a cavity for receiving the        elongated body of the lighter, wherein the elongated sleeve        comprises grooves disposed adjacent to the first open end and        extending outward radially; and    -   b) a cap removably coupled to the elongated sleeve, wherein the        cap comprises an open end that defines a cap cavity and is        configured to be removably coupled to the grooves of the        elongated sleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a        conformable push-fit relationship with the grooves, and wherein        the cap comprises a ridge configured such that removal of the        cap requires the application of upward pressure to the ridge.        In other embodiments, the elongated sleeve and the cap are both        composed substantially of silicone. In other embodiments,        coupling the cap to the elongated sleeve creates a water-tight        seal between the cap and the elongated sleeve.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a top perspective view of waterproof case 100is shown. Waterproof case 100 comprises elongated sleeve 110 and cap130. Elongated sleeve 110 comprises first open end 120 and second openend 122 that together define cavity 124. Elongated sleeve 110 alsocomprises grooves 112 disposed adjacent to first open end 120 andextending outward radially. Cap 130 is configured to be removablycoupled to elongated sleeve 110, wherein the cap creates a seal with aconformable push-fit relationship with grooves 112 of elongated sleeve110. Cap 130 also comprises ridge 140 configured to enable removal ofcap 130.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a bottom perspective view of waterproof case100 is shown. Waterproof case 100 comprises elongated sleeve 110 and cap130 Elongated sleeve 110 comprises first open end 120 and second openend 122 that together define cavity 124. Elongated sleeve 110 alsocomprises grooves 112 disposed adjacent to first open end 120 andextending outward radially. Cap 130 comprises open end 150 that definescap cavity 152 and is configured to be removably coupled to elongatedsleeve 110, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fitrelationship with grooves 112 of elongated sleeve 110. Cap 130 alsocomprises ridge 140 configured to enable removal of cap 130.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a side view of waterproof case 100 is shown.Waterproof case 100 comprises elongated sleeve 110 and cap 130.Elongated sleeve 110 comprises first open end 120, second open end 122,and grooves 112 disposed adjacent to first open end 120 and extendingoutward radially. As described above, cap 130 is configured to beremovably coupled to elongated sleeve 110, wherein the cap creates aseal with a conformable push-fit relationship with grooves 112 ofelongated sleeve 110. Cap 130 also comprises ridge 140 configured toenable removal of cap 130.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , a side view of waterproof case 100 is shownwith lighter 160. Lighter 160 comprises elongated body 162. Waterproofcase 100 comprises elongated sleeve 110 and cap 130. Elongated sleeve110 comprises first open end 120, second open end 122, and grooves 112disposed adjacent to first open end 120 and extending outward radially.As described above, cap 130 comprises open end 150 that defines capcavity 152 and is configured to be removably coupled to elongated sleeve110, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fitrelationship with grooves 112 of elongated sleeve 110. Cap 130 alsocomprises ridge 140 configured to enable removal of cap 130.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , illustrations are provided showing how a userremoves cap 130 of waterproof case 100. FIG. 5A shows lighter 160 andwaterproof case 100, comprising elongated sleeve 110 and cap 130. Cap130 has created a seal with grooves 112 (not shown) of elongated sleeve110. Cap 130 also comprises ridge 140 configured to enable removal ofcap 130. A user's thumb 170 is shown resting on the side of waterproofcase 100. FIG. 5B also shows lighter 160 and waterproof case 100. User'sthumb 170 is shown applying upward pressure 172 on ridge 140, whichbreaks the seal between cap 130 and grooves 112 of elongated sleeve 110.

In other embodiments, the waterproof case for a lighter may furthercomprise a cap attachment point and/or a sleeve attachment point, eachof which may define an opening or passageway through a portion of atleast part of the corresponding cap or sleeve, which creates a secureattachment point for a key ring, lanyard, or other attachment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a waterproofcase for a lighter that protects all important components from moistureand water damage and keeps the gas button from accidently beingdepressed, comprising a cap and an elongated sleeve wherein the capcreates a seal with a conformable push-fit relationship with theelongated sleeve, and wherein the cap comprises a ridge configured suchthat removal of the cap requires the application of upward pressure tothe ridge.

Definitions

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and“the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, includingthe claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes aplurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary(e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.

Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,”“comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, exceptwhere the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” andits grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such thatrecitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other likeitems that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unlessotherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions,proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities,characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specificationand claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances bythe term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appearwith the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to thecontrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the followingspecification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but maybe approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflectingtolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and thelike, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending onthe desired properties sought to be obtained by the subject matter ofthe present invention. For example, the term “about,” when referring toa value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in someembodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, insome embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specifiedamount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosedmethods or employ the disclosed compositions.

Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or morenumbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all suchnumbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range byextending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth.The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers,e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within thatrange (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5,as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like)and any range within that range.

Although the foregoing subject matter has been described in some detailby way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatcertain changes and modifications can be practiced within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A waterproof case for a lighter, wherein the lighter has an elongatedbody and the waterproof case comprises: a) an elongated sleevecomprising a first open end and a second open end that together define acavity for receiving the elongated body of the lighter, wherein theelongated sleeve comprises grooves disposed adjacent to the first openend and extending outward radially; and b) a cap removably coupled tothe elongated sleeve, wherein the cap comprises an open end that definesa cap cavity and is configured to be removably coupled to the grooves ofthe elongated sleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformablepush-fit relationship with the grooves, and wherein the cap comprises aridge configured such that removal of the cap requires the applicationof upward pressure to the ridge.
 2. The waterproof case for a lighter ofclaim 1, wherein the elongated sleeve and the cap are both composedsubstantially of silicone.
 3. The waterproof case for a lighter of claim2, wherein coupling the cap to the elongated sleeve creates awater-tight seal between the cap and the elongated sleeve.
 4. A packagedkit comprising a waterproof case for a lighter and instructions for usethereof, wherein the lighter has an elongated body and the waterproofcase comprises: a) an elongated sleeve comprising a first open end and asecond open end that together define a cavity for receiving theelongated body of the lighter, wherein the elongated sleeve comprisesgrooves disposed adjacent to the first open end and extending outwardradially; and b) a cap removably coupled to the elongated sleeve,wherein the cap comprises an open end that defines a cap cavity and isconfigured to be removably coupled to the grooves of the elongatedsleeve, wherein the cap creates a seal with a conformable push-fitrelationship with the grooves, and wherein the cap comprises a ridgeconfigured such that removal of the cap requires the application ofupward pressure to the ridge.
 5. The packaged kit of claim 4, whereinthe elongated sleeve and the cap are both composed substantially ofsilicone.
 6. The packaged kit of claim 5, wherein coupling the cap tothe elongated sleeve creates a water-tight seal between the cap and theelongated sleeve.